Cities of Kings

Abundant in culture with legendary pasts, two European capitals capture the curiosity and conquer the senses: London and Paris. One expanded from a tiny Celtic hamlet into a shape shifting metropolis that dominated the world’s trade routes. The other swelled from a tiny island on the Seine to reign supreme for generations as the zenith of Western culture. Both cities are defined by their munificent historic architecture created by the demands, funds, and directions of each capital’s reigning monarch. Tied by dynastic blood and architectural style, the fortresses, castles, and cathedrals of London and Paris reveal the passions and desires of the kings and queens who built them. Underneath the stone and glass facades lie the manifestations of glory and hunger for eternal power. Etched into the vaulted ceilings and bas relief sculptures remain the hopes and dreams of famous sovereigns. Discover the stories behind the design of Westminster Abbey, the Notre Dame de Paris, and other spectacular architecture in “Cities of Kings.”